Iraqi President Saddam Hussein recently expelled some 100 top officials from his ruling Baath Party on charges of corruption and incompetence, reported The Associated Press, quoting a major opposition group.

Saddam's latest purge of the Baath Party included demoting many other officials to lower ranks, the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP) said in a statement faxed to the AP from its headquarters in northern Iraq.

The ICP said the charges made against those punished included “theft, embezzlement and inefficiency.” Some members were fired because they have relatives working in the opposition groups, the ICP said.

The ICP did not give further details, while the Iraqi government declined comment on opposition reports, said the agency – Albawaba.com